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New Best Buy survey asks public about prospect of Apple HDTV

updated 11:05 am EST, Mon February 6, 2012

by MacNN Staff

Mentions iOS, apps, iCloud, webcam

A new Best Buy customer survey is asking for feedback on a potential "Apple HDTV," says The Verge. Mockup promotional text touts that "Apple finally reinvents what a TV can do," and describes the display as a 42-inch, 1080p LED model, running the same version of iOS used in the current Apple TV set-top. Like the set-top, the TV could be controlled via an iPad or iPhone, fetch content from iCloud, and access services like Netflix, YouTube, and Flickr.

Unusual though is the suggestion that the TV would support titles from the App Store, something the Apple TV can't handle. The survey also hints at storing movies and TV shows in iCloud, not just music, and the use of an "iSight camera and microphone for Skype." Apple now uses the term FaceTime to refer to its webcams, and is likely to rely on their namesake video chat service instead of a third-party option like Skype.

Best Buy proposes a $1,499 pricetag, which would make the TV much more expensive than most sets of the same size, or even some 46-inch models. The survey item is likely just conjecture, though, trying to gauge interest in the idea of an Apple-branded TV. It may however indicate that Best Buy is seriously anticipating the product, especially as many reports have hinted at its development.

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I don't think people realize how different the Apple TV will be. I believe it will be touted to be simple like the original iMac...Step 1--Take the TV out of the box. Step 2--Plug in the TV. Step 3...oh wait, there is no step 3.

You won't need a cable box, a cable subscription, or a satellite contract (everything will be accessible over your Internet connection). You won't need a DVD player or VCR (again, because it will all come over the Internet). Simulated surround sound will be integrated (so you won't need external speakers). Apple is working on gigabit wireless so you won't even need an ethernet cable. You won't have a bunch of remotes to deal with or some universal remote you have to program because you only have one piece of equipment.

That will be a game changer. And then everyone else will jump on the bandwagon with similar (but inferior) products and claim that it's always been that way when Apple sues them.

It needs to support the RVU standard. This allows a remote device and DVR (or other media source) to communicate so for example your DVR in the family room could be used by a RVU capable TV in the parents bedroom to watch what was recorded there. And to control the DVR as well. So far adopted by DirecTV and Samsung. But lots of alliance members. Apple should join and support it. Apple TV should support it. Apple's TV should support it.

When the competitors see what Apple TV will produce they will be struck blind with all the terrible TV offerings they are currently making... and it will be a game changer. These competitors DO NOT think big enough. Apple thinks big enough and simple enough and has the $$$ to make it happen. Their eco system is unique, this has to be one of the reasons Apple built that huge server farm in NC. And also yes to, the competitors will be climbing all over themselves telling the media they have/had the same idea all along and have 1,000s of patents to back it up (but apparently, never used!!!) I am sure Apple's engineers and lawyers are researching this thing with a fine tooth comb. Rave on!

I don't think people realize how different the Apple TV will be. I believe it will be touted to be simple like the original iMac...Step 1--Take the TV out of the box. Step 2--Plug in the TV. Step 3...oh wait, there is no step 3.

Except there is a step 3. It's the part where you need to connect to the internet. Or did you think that happens magically?

You won't need a cable box, a cable subscription, or a satellite contract (everything will be accessible over your Internet connection).

But you will need an internet connection, remember. So you'll need a subscription or a contract to something.

You won't need a DVD player or VCR (again, because it will all come over the Internet).

Yeah, of course you won't. Because NO ONE ever wants to watch something that isn't available on the iTMS. No one creates custom DVDs, or bring a movie they own over, or anything else. Nah! It's all on the internet! And if it isn't, it isn't worth watching!

Seriously, are you just trying to be idiotic? You make it sound like Apple is inventing this feature or something. All big screen TVs (and even small TVs) have simulated surround sound now. It isn't a new thing. People who would buy external speakers today would still buy them with an AppleTV, and those who wouldn't today wouldn't in the future.

Apple is working on gigabit wireless so you won't even need an ethernet cable.

Um, the industry is working on that. Apple may be looking at it, but they aren't the ones driving the train!

You won't have a bunch of remotes to deal with or some universal remote you have to program because you only have one piece of equipment.

Yeah, you'll have a 6 button remote that is next to useless, or you can go out and spend $200 on some iOS device so you can have a 'useful' remote. Win-win for apple!

Mockup promotional text touts that "Apple finally reinvents what a TV can do,"

It's an AppleTV integrated into a television. That isn't reinventing what a TV can do. They, theoretically, have already done that. They would be, at best, integrating into a TV some product they own. Geesh, talk about overblowing the world here.

When the competitors see what Apple TV will produce they will be struck blind with all the terrible TV offerings they are currently making... and it will be a game changer.

No, they won't. Why? Because Apple let loose the cat years ago by releasing the AppleTV. Everyone is talking about this AppleTV integrated into a TV thing. This isn't some magical device coming out of nowhere.

In fact, there's many a TV out there with integrated devices for netflix and the like. And how much of the AppleTV is used for the iTMS vs. Netflix and other vendors, huh? Or does that not matter, because once people get this tv (and everyone will get it, because we know the American public, they'll spend well over average cost for a TV just so they don't have to hook up another box, and so they can spend their money pieces at a time rather than once a month, and never need to bother watching any type of live content, because the only real entertainment is pre-recorded entertainment, and once the apple tv goes live, every network will just shut down their stations and cable networks and just move everything to the web so it can be fed into the apple tv.

These competitors DO NOT think big enough. Apple thinks big enough and simple enough and has the $$$ to make it happen. Their eco system is unique, this has to be one of the reasons Apple built that huge server farm in NC. And also yes to, the competitors will be climbing all over themselves telling the media they have/had the same idea all along and have 1,000s of patents to back it up (but apparently, never used!!!) I am sure Apple's engineers and lawyers are researching this thing with a fine tooth comb. Rave on!

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